Eric Bailly aiming to return from knee injury for Man United in two months

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly says he hopes to return to action “before two months.”

Bailly, who has impressed at Old Trafford since his summer move from Villarreal, limped off after 52 minutes of Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea with a knee injury, and manager Jose Mourinho said “I am afraid he is badly injured.”

But on Tuesday, Bailly thanked fans for their support on social media and said that he was aiming for a return around the holiday fixtures.

He wrote on Instagram: “I wanted to thank you for all the messages of support that I received since the injury! I hope to be able to play again for United and The Elephants before 2 months, God willing.”

The Ivory Coast international will be in a fitness race to be selected for the 2017 African Nations Cup in Gabon, where Les Elephants begin their campaign on Jan. 16.